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Before Greg Hardy's arrest for domestic violence back in 2014, he was one of the top defensive ends in the NFL. And, according to many former Carolina Panthers, he also was a good teammate.

Much has changed in terms of Hardy's public opinion since his arrest, but he remains a friend to many in the Panthers' locker room ahead of their Thanksgiving matchup with the Hardy's Dallas Cowboys on Thursday.

"Greg is a great teammate, contrary to popular belief," Carolina quarterback Cam Newton said on a conference call Tuesday, via Sporting News. "He is a person that came in and worked hard, gave everybody everything that he had and a person that you love to watch on Sundays. Any time you've got a person like that, it's always great to watch. I'm wishing him the best."

Hardy was drafted by the Panthers in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft, and he played four seasons in Carolina before his arrest. He sat out all but one game in 2014 as a member of the NFL's exempt list.

He signed with the Cowboys in the offseason, leading many to circle the teams' Thankgiving matchup as the official reunion. Hardy has 4.5 sacks and 18 combined tackles in six games this season.

Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images